shinrai

Hi all,

I'm getting prepared to do belts/rollers and cam pad/chain work in the next couple of weeks.
My water pump was changed at 80k kms roughly 10 years ago - car now has 89k kms.
I know the easy answer is yes but it's very easy to get all ocd with the "while you're in there" work.

What does the 968 trust say? yay or nay?

TIA

RajDatta

Sounds like it should be good for a while longer.

Eyeman

Are you your own mechanic? If so I'd likely skip it. Sounds like you are not too worried about the car stranding you somewhere when the water pump goes out.

In my case the mechanc usually convinced me to do the water pump every timing belt or two since they would be right there anyways. I'm having the water pump done now while they are doing the timing belt on my low mileage car. I'd guess that car will get less miles than yours is getting now the next 10 yrs. I think I'll wait longer than that time wise before I'll redo the timing belt, but I guess when I do I'll have them do the water pump too.

Btw I guess I'm one of the few here that has had their timing belt go out while driving. I was idling at a stop light. Let out the clutch and the car died. Turned it over a few times and it did not sound like it was going to crank so I called for a tow. I got lucky with no motor damage. How it happened was I had a euro mechanic I used for my Mercedes old Mercedes. The balance belt went and he did not change the timing belt at the same time. Needless to say I never used him again. I used the dealer until I was over 120k miles.

rap

Yes get it done. While it’s an expense it is a good maintenance idea. Having mine done now at 4 years but with low mileage over that time.

thomasmryan

once you have the cam belt off, you should be able to somewhat discern the bearings in the pump by observation. any tells of rust from the seal, play or non-smooth rotation would cause concern.

the pump on my car lasted twenty years and failure was a loose composite impeller. throwing ten bucks at a new gasket and digging in a few bolts deeper isn't a bad idea.

the hydraulic tensioner set up is superior to the previous renditions.

jeff968

I would say you are okay until your next T-belt change unless you see signs of a leak or hear a bearing noise. 968 water pumps don't have the same issues as 944s. IMHO.

Paul Waterloo

I would skip it. I'm going to do the belts on my 951 in a few weeks and the water pump has a similar history, I'm not going to change it. And $450 or so for it, I would definitely skip it.

Cloud9...68

Yeah, I'd say skip it as well. Given the cost, it isn't exactly cheap insurance. I've had my reman pump for about 7 years with no hint of any issues, so I agree these pumps are pretty stout.

biosurfer1

This thread just reminds me how ridiculous some Porsche parts can be. I just went through all this with my Lexus LS430. It's a premium brand similar to Porsche and has its own parts that are sky high, but the entire timing belt kit, including rollers, belts, water pump and everything you need, is $180, all OEM parts.

It would be so much easier to really love my 968 if maintaining the thing from catastrophic failure wasn't so damn expensive!

az968gpw

Mileage is so low since new I would just do the visual and if it looks good, leave it till next t-belt change. But don't wait six years, age is just as bad as mileage. And use Gates belts, not Conti.

Porsche dealers have a rebuilt waterpump for under $250 with factory warranty. Still a lot, but better than price for new one.

Boeing 717

Yea, if it was a 911 turbo I wouldn't mind so much but it's just a 4 cylinder 968.

jeff968

It really isn't that bad. The only thing you HAVE to do is the belts every 5 years and if you shop around and provide the parts yourself you can get it done for under a grand (at my local Porsche dealer). For perspective, talk to the owner of that beautiful Ferrari 355!

Eyeman

Your saying to do the timing belt etc every 5 yrs even with very low miles Jeff? I was thinking I'd do mine more like every 10 yrs.

jeff968

Absolutely!!! It is as much time as it is mileage. You can stretch it to 6 years if you exercise the car regularly but don't go 10!

spanky

Are the timing belts and balance shaft belts for the 968 not the very same belts that are used on the 951/944 that have a 4 yr/40,000 / 45,000 mile lifespan?